A sweet and savory cranberry relish is spread over cream cheese and served with crackers. The perfect holiday appetizer!
I tried this fabulous Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip at Thanksgiving and it shot straight to the top of my list of favorite holiday appetizers. I’ll be making it again for Christmas, and everyone else who tried it says they will too!
The tangy cranberries are a perfect compliment to the spicy and savory flavors in this dip.
I took this to a party and it was hands down the favorite dish of the night. ~ Natasha
I’ve found that a food processor works well for chopping the cranberries, and even the green onion and jalapeno.
The cranberry portion of this appetizer can be made a few days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Then you only need to soften some cream cheese and break out the crackers on the day you’ll be serving it.
Not only does this dip taste great, it looks beautiful and is very festive. I mean, just look at that gorgeous red color. It’s sure to be a hit at all of your holiday gatherings!
I absolutely LOVE this dip and will make it often! It reminds me of the one where you open the jar of hot pepper jelly and put on cream cheese.
But friends there is really no comparison–for taste or healthy benefits! This is scrumptious and easy! ~ Carol
There’s plenty to feed a crowd, so if you’ll be serving fewer people, you may want to half the recipe. Although we never seem to have trouble finishing it off at my house!
I hope this beautiful and delicious holiday dip becomes a favorite tradition at your house, just like it is at mine!
Be sure to save this Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Here’s what you’ll need to make Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
- Produce: fresh cranberries, green onion, cilantro, jalapenos
- Sugar
- Spices: cumin, salt
- Lemon juice
- Cream cheese
- Crackers, for serving
Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz. package fresh cranberries, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 small jalapeno pepper seeded and chopped
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Dash salt
- 2 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
- Crackers
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the chopped cranberries, green onion, cilantro, jalapeno, sugar, cumin, lemon juice and salt. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- When ready to serve, spread cream cheese in an even layer on a plate or platter. Spread cranberry mixture evenly over the cream cheese.
- Serve with crackers for dipping.
Video
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Notes
Nutrition
Never miss a Let’s Dish Recipe:
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter
If you love this recipe, you might also like:
More Delicious Cranberry Recipes
Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Spread
This unique spread features cranberry, jalapeno, green onion and orange juice in a cream cheese base. It's the perfect combination of sweet and spicy, and perfect for any holiday celebration.
Cranberry Orange Crumb Cake
Fresh cranberries and a hint of orange highlight this delicious breakfast cake with a crumb topping.
Cranberry Chocolate Pecan Pie
Fresh cranberries, dark chocolate and pecans come together in this decadent holiday pie.
Cranberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake
This moist, delicious pound cake is studded with fresh cranberries. Perfect for Christmas!
Who Dished It Up First: Adapted from Jamie Cooks It Up
17 comments
Joan
OMGOSH!!!!! Let’s give this 10 stars!!! It is fabulous!! What a great blend of flavors and tastes.. sweet, tart, herbaceous, spicy, creamy, tart, savory!!!! You can’t stop eating it!!! Great palette cleanser!!! Beautiful colorful dish on a table!!!
I’ve tried many many cranberry relishes because it is my only holiday MUST HAVE dish… ginger, jalapeño, minted, pineapple, cherries, raspberry…. This was new and fresh and a WALK-OFF GRAND SLAM!!!!!
Danelle
Thanks so much! This is a family favorite. The one dish that everyone in the family says we must have at Thanksgiving. Glad you enjoyed it.
Danelle
You can leave a star rating with no review, and vice versa.
Karen Baker
I’m clicking to try and read the 14 reviews, but I only see three with star ratings. Am I missing them?
Karen
I recently went to a party and a log of Goat Cheese with Cranberry and Cinnamon was served. No nuts. I’d like to make one. Would I be better using the recipe for the Cranberry Nut Goat Cheese Bites and leave out the pecans and maybe adding a little extra cinnamon… or using this recipe Cranberry Cream cheese Dip, It seem there are several ingredients in this that might overpower the cinnamon flavor. How much additional cinnamon would you add and how do you think this would work overall. The one at the party was bought at Cosco by Celebity I’d love to be able to duplicate the recipe. Thanks for your thoughts on this?
Phyllis
Out of season can’t find fresh cranberries. Could I use frozen
Danelle
That should work fine.
Carol
I just mixed this lovely, festive dip and have not yet waited 4 hours, but had to take a little sample. I absolutely LOVE this dip and will make it often! It reminds me of the one where you open the jar of hot pepper jelly and put on cream cheese….but friends there is really no comparison~~for taste or healthy benefits! This is scrumptious and easy!
Danelle
So glad you liked it Carol! It’s a must during the holidays at our house!
Kimberly
Yum! Can’t wait to try it.
Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry!
Love this! Pinning and sharing!
Mommy on Demand
This is my kind of dip!!
Natasha
I took this to a party and it was hands down the favorite dish of the night.
danasfoodforthought
This sounds like the perfect combo of sweet and spicy! How festive and tasty!
LinC
This looks wonderfully festive. The cranberries would give it a good tang. I’m going to try it at our Christmas open house. Thanks!
Elizabeth
Yum… cranberries are the best!
Erika
This sounds so good! It reminds me of pepper jelly w/cream cheese. Can’t wait to try it!